This just happened a little while ago.
Working in the computer store, we've had a local kid (early 20's) call or stop in a couple of times. Has questions about Linux and dual boots. We don't do Linux stuff, so there's not much we've been able to do for him.
Now, this guy is a little... off. I can't tell if there's some sort of mental handicap (like Asperberger's, mild autism, or just your basic closet-case) but he just looks and sounds a little weird. Which is fine - we're computer geeks, so weird is relative.
Guy comes in today because he has a 3 month old laptop and he somehow put a dual-boot on it so he could have Windows 7 and Linux. Screwed it up. Wants us to fix it.
Now, I'm already a little tired of dealing with the guy so I pass him off to the head technician. The conversation goes something like this:
WCG: Weird computer guy
AT: Awesome tech
Moi: Moi
WCG: So can you remove the <dual boot software>?
AT: Not without reloading Windows. It's all screwed up at this point. How old is the laptop?
WCG: It has Windows 7.
AT: That's not what I asked you. When did you purchase the laptop?
WCG: Three months ago.
AT: If you didn't delete the restore partition we should be able to reload Windows pretty easily.
WCG: So you can save my data and settings?
AT: We can try to save the data. (I'm not sure what he meant by settings... but we can usually back up docs, pictures, music, email and even IE favorites)
WCG: Well, I'll just go to the Geek Squad, then!
AT: Okay. They charge more than we do. (not to mention their record for backing up data isn't so good)
The guy is pretty much stomping out like a spoiled child at this point. Which is weird, because we hadn't even given him a price yet and we did say we could back up his data. I guess he expected we could just wave a magic wand and repair the damage he'd done with his dual-boot program.
I notice that WCG has left his power cord on my counter.
Moi: Would you like your power cord back?
WCG: Yes, I would like my power cord back.
He grabs the power cord and heads out the door. As he's doing so, the cord catches one of those little plastic trays for business cards. (we have three - one for me, one for the Ebay guy and one for the head tech) His cord knocks one of the trays onto the floor, spilling a dozen or so business cards.
Moi: That's awesome.
WCG exits without making any attempt to clean up the business cards and without saying "sorry". I was actually sort of bemused by the entire thing so I didn't think to make any sort of closing comment. (i.e. The Geek Squad charges twice what we do - good luck with that. Or some such thing)
So he's taking his laptop to the Geek Squad who will probably charge him money just for walking in the door, not to mention possibly reloading Windows and potentially not backing up his data for almost twice what we charge for the same thing.
Me, the Ebay guy and the tech are taking bets on when he'll be back. I'm saying we see him before closing time (8pm) tonight. (which is why I'm leaving the business cards on the floor for a while... in case he comes back I want to make him clean them up) the Ebay guy thinks he'll be back over the weekend and the tech thinks he won't be back ever - which is fine with me.
Working in the computer store, we've had a local kid (early 20's) call or stop in a couple of times. Has questions about Linux and dual boots. We don't do Linux stuff, so there's not much we've been able to do for him.
Now, this guy is a little... off. I can't tell if there's some sort of mental handicap (like Asperberger's, mild autism, or just your basic closet-case) but he just looks and sounds a little weird. Which is fine - we're computer geeks, so weird is relative.
Guy comes in today because he has a 3 month old laptop and he somehow put a dual-boot on it so he could have Windows 7 and Linux. Screwed it up. Wants us to fix it.
Now, I'm already a little tired of dealing with the guy so I pass him off to the head technician. The conversation goes something like this:
WCG: Weird computer guy
AT: Awesome tech
Moi: Moi
WCG: So can you remove the <dual boot software>?
AT: Not without reloading Windows. It's all screwed up at this point. How old is the laptop?
WCG: It has Windows 7.
AT: That's not what I asked you. When did you purchase the laptop?
WCG: Three months ago.
AT: If you didn't delete the restore partition we should be able to reload Windows pretty easily.
WCG: So you can save my data and settings?
AT: We can try to save the data. (I'm not sure what he meant by settings... but we can usually back up docs, pictures, music, email and even IE favorites)
WCG: Well, I'll just go to the Geek Squad, then!
AT: Okay. They charge more than we do. (not to mention their record for backing up data isn't so good)
The guy is pretty much stomping out like a spoiled child at this point. Which is weird, because we hadn't even given him a price yet and we did say we could back up his data. I guess he expected we could just wave a magic wand and repair the damage he'd done with his dual-boot program.
I notice that WCG has left his power cord on my counter.
Moi: Would you like your power cord back?
WCG: Yes, I would like my power cord back.
He grabs the power cord and heads out the door. As he's doing so, the cord catches one of those little plastic trays for business cards. (we have three - one for me, one for the Ebay guy and one for the head tech) His cord knocks one of the trays onto the floor, spilling a dozen or so business cards.
Moi: That's awesome.
WCG exits without making any attempt to clean up the business cards and without saying "sorry". I was actually sort of bemused by the entire thing so I didn't think to make any sort of closing comment. (i.e. The Geek Squad charges twice what we do - good luck with that. Or some such thing)
So he's taking his laptop to the Geek Squad who will probably charge him money just for walking in the door, not to mention possibly reloading Windows and potentially not backing up his data for almost twice what we charge for the same thing.
Me, the Ebay guy and the tech are taking bets on when he'll be back. I'm saying we see him before closing time (8pm) tonight. (which is why I'm leaving the business cards on the floor for a while... in case he comes back I want to make him clean them up) the Ebay guy thinks he'll be back over the weekend and the tech thinks he won't be back ever - which is fine with me.
Comment